Lakeisha: Tomorrow...

Hello everyone.

This story takes place at the beginning of the three week long campaign in the Southern Barrens where the Alliance and Horde clashed to try and gain control in the barren lands. Written while I couldn't sleep, I wished to express the thoughts and worries my character gone through the night before the Alliance's arrival at the shores of Kalimdor, onboard the ship the Lady Proudmoore.

I hope you will enjoy.


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Tomorrow....

She watches the swaying of the lantern with a thoughtful gaze as her head rests against the thick wooden planks which form the wall of the room she finds herself in, watching it lazily rock back and forth while the flame of the burning candle within the metal and glass contraption flickers. It holds her captivated as she allows herself to wake from an uneasy sleep, a sleep which she pulled herself from a little while ago. Troubling thoughts haunt her, worries pain her and excitement has kept her on edge.
She droops her head slowly forward, a cascade of white hair falling before the left side of her face as she lowers her gaze down from the lantern dangling from the ceiling to other shapes within the small room; breathing shapes, sleeping shapes, familiar shapes. She knows them. She knows them well enough to lay her trust in them. A soft smile forms upon her pale lips as she lets her eyes wander over the ones who remain in slumber, ones she dares to call 'friend' but can not call them such outloud. She watches over them like a mother watches her children, caring but with a strict hand when needed. Even those who remain unruly receive her care...

Tomorrow...

She brings a hand up to comb some of her hair aside before placing the hand upon the thin bedding she has tried to find rest upon for a few hours, shuffling up to a standing while her other hand grasps for a jacket which laid nicely folded in between hers and another mattress. The gentle rocking of the ship does not throw her off balance as she slips into the jacket and buttons it up with nimble fingers, her eyes settled once more upon the lantern before a stirring beside her claims her attention. The man who has been sleeping restless beside her on the other mattress rolls over underneath the thin blanket, mumbling something inaudible and she watches him in silence as she adjusts the pins of warrant officer rank on the collar of her jacket, a small smile playing over her lips. She will not wake him, no. There is no need for such, not now at least.
Tugging at the jacket to make herself decent and grabbing for a belt with pouches and a long red cloth, she makes her way over towards the closed door of the small storage space she shared with at least three others, slowly opening it to then slip out and quietly close it behind her. She has no desire to wake anyone; it is she who can not sleep.
As her fingers slip away from the doorhandle, she looks out into what is the galley of the ship she sails, her eyes gliding over the many people who are present within the gloom of candles. Soft murmuring can be heard, a group of Dwarves sit around a table, talking, drinking or sleeping, two Humans converse in whispers near a wall while some snoring can be heard from the hammocks which sway along with the motions of the waves the ship cuts through. The floor is covered in hunched pieces of cloth, sleeping passengers who all managed to endure this voyage so far.
She smiles as some of the Dwarves have noticed her entering the galley, nodding her head in a silent greeting as they do the same before bending back over the table to continue their chat in their own tongue, a language she does not understand. It does not bother her, she has grown accustomed to how some of the passengers wish to be treated and she has been treating everyone with the respect they deserve.
Stepping forth, she begins to make her way through the mass of sleeping people, careful where she places her hooves to not accidentally wake someone to finally step out onto the maindeck which bathes in the silver light of the stars and crescent moon high above. The night is warm and clear, the breeze gentle as the Draenei crosses the deck to make her way up some steps, a hand gliding over the wooden railing, her hooves softly stomping down upon the wood. As she reaches quarterdeck, she slows in her steps to wrap her fingers around a rope of the shrouds, casting a glance out over the shimmering waters which seem to reach out endlessly towards the horizon. This has been the view for many nights now, the only difference being that with each passing day the temperature has gone up.
She averts her gaze from the star-speckled horizon to let her white glowing eyes wander out over those present on the deck, finding a couple who enjoy the view together as they whisper to one and another, seeing a lone man smoke his cigarette in silence as he leans against the secured crates, hearing a sailor climb in the ropes of the mast above and some other passengers talking further up towards the front of the ship, not bothering to keep their voices down for the others.

Tomorrow...

They have been upon sea for weeks now... So many of the passengers had never sailed upon a ship for so long, the worry and panic was like a thick blanket all over the magnificent boat during the first two weeks of the sail and though it has eased somewhat by now, people remain restless. Their goal is not one to look forward to. Some fear it, others welcome it but there is no joy to be found in it.
War.
Tomorrow they will be at war.
She has been concerned with the morale of the crew she serves, she has been worried about the fate they might meet in the battles that will be fought out in those barren lands of Kalimdor. She has been trying not to let anyone down, to keep their spirits up. Smile... care... always care. What else can she do? People look up to her, people turn to her for guidance and expect of her to be able to give answers, solutions and orders. Answers to satisfy their minds, solutions to ease their agony and orders to keep the ship afloat. So much pressure... she has endured it all.
She endured hatred and dislike to what she is and the decisions she had to make upon this voyage, but that which kept her going and held her head up high was kindness.
The soldier named George bringing her tea and asking her almost every day how she has been doing, what kind of rating she would give that day. The Dwarf, master Anvil, who would make her feel appreciated as a valued member of the ship's crew while laying his trust in her. Bons, poor Bons who was always mistaken for something else than a Gnome because of the mask he wore; a delightful conversation partner. She met so many new faces that it made this long voyage bearable, the hardships easier and the pressure lighter.

Tomorrow...

She lets go of the shroud to continue making her way up on the ship and break her line of thoughts and memories, to the bridge where a man holds the helm. A man she looks up to, a man she serves with no questions asked. He who loves this ship more than anyone... The captain of the Lady Proudmoore.
She salutes him in respect as she makes her way further up onto the deck, taking a stance beside him after he acknowledged her presence and she once more turns her gaze away to look out over the dark waters, this time to the other two ships which lay in their wake. They follow the Lady Proudmoore's lead towards war, a war to claim control in the lands called the Barrens, to try and force the Horde back. It seems so pointless and yet she is aware of the importance of the reason behind this large campaign. It has to be done.
She looks up slightly as she can hear the shouting up from one mast to the other, the sailors continuing to do their duty even when the morning hours are beginning to creep up on all the passengers of the three ships. Soon they will see land, soon they will be shouting more and louder than they have this night. They endured storms and high waves, the rescue of passengers who fell overboard while the marines have managed to keep things in order upon the ship. A few passengers are shackled in the brig, but none lost their life during the month long voyage. A voyage which will come to an end soon. They will dock in the waters near a small Alliance settlement called the Northwatch Hold, they will unload all passengers, mounts and supplies to then get ready for battle. It seemed like a dream during these weeks upon the lullaby of rocking waves, but as time creeps by and the horizon becomes lighter in the east, it steadily becomes reality.

Today...

With the warm wind blowing through her pale hair and tugging at her uniform, she looks towards the horizon, there where the stars are slowly being chased away by the rising sun. Worries grow inside of her, unease creeps up her spine as she allows the truth to finally reach the core of her being.
Today they will fight.
Today it is war.

Excellent story! I was always curious about what happens in Lakeisha's mind. I loved it, very well written!

Beautiful. What more can I say? I got sucked into the story almost instantly. More, please.

I am offended at the lack of a mention! but, i suppose the awesome story does overrule it a bit. Definitely write some more, Lake!

Enjoyed reading this. Very good writing